Ray of hope for leprosy patients, courtesy SMS doctors

JAIPUR: Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital doctors have given a ray of hope to leprosy patients who are leading a miserable life. Thirty-two-year-old Pritam Singh (name changed) is leading his life in a care home in Jodhpur for years as his family has left him just because he was a leprosy patient.Over the years, both his hands developed deformity due to leprosy. He was unable to do his routine work but now doctors in SMS Hospital have provided him treatment so that he would again be able to do his routine work.

A team of doctors headed by SMS Hospital superintendent and specialist in deformity correction, Dr DS Meena, performed 14 surgeries on Saturday .The team performed nine more surgeries on Sunday.

The SMS Hospital is the only one in the state, which is correcting deformity of leprosy patients. According to the health department officials, SMS Hospital is the only recognised centre by the National Leprosy Programme in the state for conducting such surgeries. Dr DS Meena said, “We have admitted 27 patients with deformities due to leprosy to the hospital in a separate ward. They will be operated in three days.These patients require reconstructive surgeries. After the surgeries, they will be asked to come back for follow up so that we will be able to see the progress of the treatment.“

Officials said that if the leprosy patients do not take the medicines on time, they develop deformities such as claw-like hands or inability to flex feet.The nerves get damaged which leads to serious problems among leprosy patients. The health department is conducting survey in the state to find out more such patients who have developed deformity due to leprosy. Officials said that they have a list of 100 such patients with deformities. They will undergo surgery in phase-wise manner.

Since a social stigma is associated with leprosy , the patients often do not want to come out in open for treatment. Also, there are instances when patients' relatives do not allow them to stay with them. They are left with no choice but to lead life in care homes.

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